Chapter 890: It

At the entrance to the underground garage on B1, Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong walked up behind and saw their son holding a little girl in his arms.

Yan Zhusheng now peeked out from atop Li Luo's shoulder, looking at Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong, and even had the leisure to raise one hand, grinning as she made a peace sign: "Uncle, Auntie, good afternoon~"

Seeing Yan Zhusheng, Lin Xiuhong's face instantly lit up with a warm, delighted smile: "Good, good, good—Zhusheng is doing well. Don't stand here, let's go upstairs and talk."

"Oh." Yan Zhusheng nodded obediently, disengaging from Li Luo's arms—but still clung tightly to his sleeve, refusing to let go.

Before this, she had not been separated from Li Luo for more than twenty-four hours in a long time.

This sudden absence of over a day left her feeling utterly uneasy.

The moment she wrapped her arms around Li Luo, she instantly felt like she'd been recharged—her whole body brimming with energy.

As for Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong, who had previously been worried about the three girls, seeing Yan Zhusheng—the little ray of sunshine—appear at home lifted their spirits.

To be honest, before this, although Lin Xiuhong liked all three girls, she still had a mental scale.

Clearly, the one she loved most was Ying Chanxi, whom she had raised since childhood; next came Xu Youyu.

Since she got along well with Cui Suling, Xu Youyu—even with her bad habit of sleeping in—was actually quite proper in how she treated others and handled affairs.

Thus, in Lin Xiuhong's mind, Xu Youyu ranked second among potential daughters-in-law.

As for Yan Zhusheng, she could only settle for third.

On one hand, Yan Zhusheng didn't move into Bihai Lanting until Gao Er; Lin Xiuhong had known her the latest.

On the other hand, she wasn't especially close to Yuan Wanqing.

Yuan Wanqing was after all a major star, a busy person who was rarely seen in person—more often encountered on TV or phone screens.

She only had the chance to sit at the same table with Yuan Wanqing during holidays and festivals.

Although they got along well enough, compared to Cui Suling, there was still a thin veil between them.

Added to that, Yan Zhusheng's beauty was simply too high, and she carried an almost aggressive aura, making her first impression seem hard to approach.

In contrast, Ying Chanxi leaned toward cuteness, Xu Youyu toward allure—both were softer.

Anyone unfamiliar with Yan Zhusheng, upon seeing her for the first time, would assume she was a difficult girl to get along with.

Of course, the truth was exactly that.

Unless someone could enter Yan Zhusheng's heart the way Li Luo had, her blunt, unfiltered way of speaking to others still pushed people away.

But if one truly spent enough time with her, one would discover the unique charm only Yan Zhusheng possessed.

The group went downstairs to the first-floor living room and sat on the sofa.

Lin Xiuhong immediately pulled out the car keys and handed them to Yan Zhusheng: "You drive this car—it's back now."

"Oh." Yan Zhusheng accepted them obediently, then sat beside Li Luo, pressing tightly against him.

If not for Lin Xiuhong and Li Guohong still being there, she'd probably be hanging off Li Luo and never let go.

"How did you get back here?" Li Luo finally asked the question weighing on his mind, turning to Yan Zhusheng. "Didn't Uncle Ying keep an eye on you?"

"Dad watches over Chanxi, Mom watches over me." Yan Zhusheng blinked her eyes. "Actually, Mom secretly accepts this situation—she just can't say it outright."

"I begged her privately to find a way to let me come back."

"Then she said I should move back into the house in Yinjiang District, since the apartment they rented in the city is too small for four people."

"So I came back."

After hearing this, Li Luo understood Yuan Wanqing's meaning.

Although he had prepared himself, he hadn't expected Yuan Wanqing to agree so quickly.

This was indeed good news for them.

"Your mom really agreed?" Lin Xiuhong's face brightened; she leaned close to Yan Zhusheng, gripping her hand excitedly.

"Not exactly." Yan Zhusheng blinked. "Mom doesn't oppose it—but in the end, she'll still have to listen to Dad's opinion."

"That's true—" Lin Xiuhong sighed helplessly, then turned to Li Guohong. "Old Ying's been your childhood friend—can't you find a way?"

"What can I do?" Li Guohong looked baffled. "That guy's been stubborn since childhood. I doubt I could ever convince him."

"You two don't need to worry about this matter," Li Luo waved his hand. "We'll handle it ourselves. Mom, focus on Uncle's wedding first—I'll take care of the rest."

"If you say so, then I can only wait." Lin Xiuhong sighed, still troubled.

After all, she truly wanted three daughters-in-law now.

How happy were these Lunar New Year days?

If such good days vanished in the future, she'd be heartbroken.

"Alright, alright, go take care of your own business." Li Luo stood up, waving his hand, checking his phone's time. "I still have to go to the company—today's tasks are plenty."

"True," Li Guohong nodded. "Chanxi isn't here—you have to manage the company yourself. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Don't worry," Li Luo said. "I know what I'm doing. No major issues."

He said there were no major issues—but once Li Luo actually arrived at Chongran Culture, he was already overwhelmed.

Fortunately, Yan Zhusheng was right beside him and immediately dialed Ying Chanxi's WeChat call.

Thus, Ying Chanxi remotely directed him, detailing exactly what tasks he needed to complete.

Previously, although Li Luo had accompanied Ying Chanxi to handle company affairs, she had been physically present then.

Li Luo had felt the weight of it, but nothing compared to the depth of understanding he felt now.

The simplest thing: the secretary would submit yesterday's business progress, then they'd begin planning today's and tomorrow's specific tasks.

Simultaneously, he had to monitor real-time progress across all business divisions—Chongran Culture's main focus being the GG business.

This included coordinating with marketing departments of major manufacturers, online communication and negotiation, offline meals and meetings—all requiring Ying Chanxi to oversee the overall direction.

In addition, there was the Douyin-related business: whether it was Yan Zhusheng's or Li Luo's account, or Ruan Lin's and Bai Lixuan's, the company needed to plan and arrange everything holistically.

Now that Ruan Lin was on winter break from university, she had arrived here after the New Year and had to coordinate with the company and Huayue Film and Television to begin preliminary promotion work for "The Beginning."

During this period, Ruan Lin's Douyin account also needed to be fully activated—no traffic could be wasted.

Monetization, promotion, personal image building.

All of these require thorough planning.

Although Li Luo doesn't need to handle the specific tasks, he must issue directives on key decisions within them.

In the past, all these matters were handled entirely by Ying Chanxi.

As for routine meetings, performance evaluations, reviewing reports—those were even more tedious.

For Li Luo, after trying a few times, he could pick it up quickly, but at first, he still found himself overwhelmed.

Before he even realized it, time had quietly slipped through his fingers.

"Alright, once you finish today's tasks, that's it—nothing else special," Ying Chanxi said over the phone. "Though I can remotely direct most things, it's still important for employees to see their leader show up in person every day."

"Some people really love slacking off—like Zhou Ruiwen, who handles the GG division. Just wander by occasionally when you've got nothing else to do."

"Last time I saw him sneaking reads of a novel during work hours."

"It's fine to relax occasionally, but at least finish the work the company assigns."

As Ying Chanxi spoke, Yan Zhusheng couldn't help but complain: "Sis, you're becoming more and more like an exploitative capitalist."

"Stop standing there making snide remarks," Ying Chanxi snapped from the other end. "If you're so capable, you take over."

"I'm not capable," Yan Zhusheng said seriously, blinking her eyes. "I'm just a lowly employee here—I rely on the company for my salary."

"Good to know," Ying Chanxi huffed. "If you don't understand, don't give orders. Just stand quietly to the side."

Listening to the two sisters bicker, Li Luo felt a familiar warmth, and a smile curled at his lips—the exhaustion of the entire afternoon seemed to vanish.

He stretched in his chair, then shifted the topic away from company matters, asking Ying Chanxi: "How have you been these past two days?"

"What do you think?" Ying Chanxi pouted. "Dad drags me to the company every day—besides meeting clients, I have to stay right by his side. I can't even leave."

Li Luo let out a sound of exasperation: "Ying Shu is being way too strict. Look at Zhusheng—she can come and go freely."

"Alright, alright," Ying Chanxi sighed. "Now I'm at least a bit free—but either I go to his company, or I'm stuck at home. There are smart alerts at home—I can't return for now."

In truth, even if Ying Chanxi wanted to come back, Ying Zhicheng couldn't stop her.

But Li Luo and the others' goal isn't to break ties with their parents, so unless necessary, they won't go that far.

This kind of thing requires gradual progress—like slowly warming a frog in water—no need for drastic measures.

Li Luo had already prepared himself for a long war.

After all, to get Xi Xi to accept this situation, he'd spent a long time subtly influencing her.

Now that it's the elders' turn, the same logic applies.

The more impatient you are, the worse the outcome.

"Then just stay there quietly," Li Luo said. "Report any developments to me anytime."

"Also, Aunt Yuan has agreed to arrange a meeting with Ying Shu—she just hasn't fixed a time yet."

"I'll try to communicate with him more."

Ying Chanxi nodded obediently on the other end: "Got it. You do your best—I'll talk to him more too."

"Sis, you've got this!" Yan Zhusheng encouraged.

"Shut up," Ying Chanxi grumbled the moment she heard her voice.

They'd all planned to come out together—she was taken away by her father, and her senior was locked up at home.

But Yan Zhusheng? She slipped back easily, stayed right beside Li Luo—and just thinking of it made Ying Chanxi's jealousy rise.

"Should I hang up?" Yan Zhusheng ignored Ying Chanxi, took her phone from Li Luo's hand, and said: "We're going to dinner now."

"Go, go, no need to tell me," Ying Chanxi huffed, then hung up immediately—she didn't want her annoying sister to keep teasing her.

Looking at the ended call screen, Yan Zhusheng blinked innocently, tucked her phone away, and wrapped her arms around Li Luo's, leading him out of the office.

But as they left the office, Li Luo pulled his arm free and whispered to Yan Zhusheng: "Behave yourself in the company. Tone it down. Don't be so flashy."

"Okay," Yan Zhusheng nodded obediently, immediately keeping her distance—only to wrap her arms around him again once they entered the elevator.

The two randomly picked a restaurant on the fourth floor of Tianjie, ate dinner, then she dragged him to a movie.

Of course, they got couple seats.

Yan Zhusheng didn't care if there were cameras—she climbed onto Li Luo and kissed him fiercely, as if making up for all the kisses she'd missed yesterday and the day before.

By the time they returned to Sky Ridge Elegant Residence, it was already past nine at night.

Li Luo patted Yan Zhusheng's little butt, signaling he was going to write, and she headed to the fourth floor to practice piano.

They parted in the elevator, and Li Luo went straight to his study.

He opened the small door connecting the cat room to the study, letting the four little cats slip in to play and wander.

Then he picked up A Li and Ju Bao—as if one were Xu Youyu and the other Xi Xi—and played with them in his arms before sitting down at his computer.

An hour and more of writing passed in the blink of an eye.

After finishing, Li Luo looked at the empty study, the vacant seat beside the other computer, and felt a quiet pang of loss.

At this hour, Xu Youyu should've been sitting beside him, cross-legged, scratching his head, straining his mind over the plot.

Sometimes he'd sneakily pick at his feet—and when Li Luo caught him, he'd hold out his fingers for him to smell.

Li Luo would make a face of disgust—but there was actually no smell.

Just thinking of it now made Li Luo's lips curve into a smile.

But then he remembered Xu Youyu wasn't here, and he sighed.

He looked again at the fruit Butler Liu had just brought in, and recalled how Ying Chanxi always used to come in under the pretense of delivering fruit.

He'd pull her into his arms and tease her a little before letting her go.

Now, that chance was gone.

He wondered when they'd finally be allowed to return home.

Thinking of it, Li Luo stretched, shook his head, and pushed the worries aside for now.

After sending a message to Yan Zhusheng, he got up and went upstairs.

Just as he stepped into the master bedroom bathroom, he found Li Luo surrounded by steaming heat and swirling white mist.

Yan Zhusheng sat in the hot spring pool, still wearing her soaked maid outfit, her upper body leaning on the edge, blinking at him: "Master~ It's time for your bath~"